Local Resource Recovery for Green, Circular Concrete

Building a new tidal dock traditionally requires various materials, including large amounts of sand, which often has to be imported. To reduce reliance on external resources, the PIONEERS consortium is developing an innovative, local alternative that could serve as a model for future construction projects.

Consortium partners VITO, Buildwise, and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges are working to replace up to 40% of the conventional sand in concrete with locally sourced "upcycled sand". This material is recovered from the excavations carried out during the dock's construction. The approach not only lowers environmental impact but also promotes circular use of resources.

The durability and performance of this sustainable concrete will be tested under real conditions, with exposure to tides and salty water.